James b



(No Model.)

J. B. STANWOOD.

VALVE ROD GONNEGTION.

No. 313,961. I PatentedMar. 17. 1885.-

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UNITED ST TES PATENT rrrca,

JAMES B. STANNVOOD, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LANE 8r BODLEY COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

VALVE ROD CONNECTION.

EQECIFICATEION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,961, dated March 17, 1885.

Appfication filed October 27,1884. (No model.)

To (l/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES B. STANWOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati,'0hio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Valve-Rod Connections, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to valve actuating mechanism in variable cut-oft steam-engines employing valve motion wherein the exhaust and entrance ports are opened and closed by a rotary motion of the valve stems; audit consists in an improved construction of the valvestem bearings and crank-connections, as more fully hereinafter pointed out. In Corliss engines of this class the valve-actuating mechanism usually consists of an oscillating plate arranged centrally between the valve-stems to which are attached circumferentially four radial arms in operative connection with the valvestem cranks, two upper ones actuating the steam-receiving ports, and two lower ones the steam-exhaust ports. Auxiliary arms on the receiving-port cranks carry vertical rods actuating pistons in dash-pots beneath. Upon the opening of the entrance-ports for admission of steam to the cylinder the pistons in the dash-pots are raised successively against the pressure of the air, a vacuum being produced beneath, the object being to produce a quick cut-off on release of the valve-stem. In this operation there is considerable strain brought upon the valve-stems, tending to bend or spring them, and in a less degree the same is true of the exhaust-port valve-stems, as in both the cranks overhang their bearings, bringing their weight and that of the connecting-rods upon the valve-stems.

The ordinary construction, in which the valve-stem projects outward beyond its supporting-structure, carrying the weight of the cranks and receiving their strains at that point, renders this a serious difficulty; and it is the object of my invention to make such a connection of the actuating-cranks to the valve-stems and so support the cranks and valve-stems as to relieve the latter of all strains, except torsional ones, their true function.

Mechanism illustrating my improvement is exhibited in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of exhaust-valve stem in its supporting hearings or bonnets embodying my improvement. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same, and Fig. 3 a vertical longitudinal section of entrancevalve stem and support embodying my improvement.

The parts hereinafter mentioned are designated by suitable letters of reference.

In the drawings, B designates the bonnets attached to the side of steam-chest; D, the cranks keyed to the valve-stemsV by keys 6. C is the exhaust-port crank-arm, actuated by radial arm A from the oscillating plate; C, the entrance-port crankarm, actuated by radial arm A and crank-pin A. An auxiliary crank-arm (not shown) carries the dash-pot rod d on crank-pin A.

Gr is the governor-cam collar actuating the variable cut-off. These parts are of the usual construction, and require no further description, except as modified by my improvements, hereinafter pointed out.

Instead of simply boring the exhaustcranks D for the valve-stems and then keying the lat ter thereon outside of the bonnets so that the weight and strain will be all borne by the stem itself, I extend the hub d of the cranks laterally and counterbore the same to fit over and oscillate upon the outer turned ends, S, of the bonnets, the cranks thus riding upon the bonnets at S- as journals. The cranks being now keyed upon the valve-stems at the outer ends of the hubs, the valvestems are relieved of the weight of the cranks and rods and of all transverse strains, which are borne by the j our nals S of the supporting-bonnets. Aprecisely similar construction is followed with the entrance-port bonnets and cranks, with the exception that a narrow space surrounding the journal at its inner end is left for free insertion of the governoi cam collar G vertically over the actuating-arm A, in order that proper action of the variable cut-off may take place. I thus secure an accurate and even motion and wear of the valve-stem, which may fit loosely in the bonnet and reduce the friction of the valve and stem. Moreover, the stem, beingrelieved from all but torsional strains, may be made smaller, and a saving in labor and material further effected both in construction and repairs, owing to the cheapness and permanence of this bonnet as compared with the cost of renewing valve stems and bonnets of the old pattern.

' I claim and desireto secure ent of the United States l. The hereindescribed improvement in steam engines employing valve-gear of the kind described, consisting in bonnets B, provided at their outer ends with journals S, adapted for holding thereon as ajournalbear-- ing in operating contact a correspondinglycounterbored crank, D, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In steam-engines with valve motion, as described, cranks D, with suitable arm or arms for attachment of operating-levers, centrally bored for passage of valve-stems, and counterby Letters Pat- JAMES B. STANWOOD.

WVitnesses:

R. M. HOSEA, L. M. HOSEA.

I bored to lit in operative contact upon journals 2o 

